Helen Cecilia (Weis) Gathje passed away peacefully at The Waters on Mayowood in Rochester on February 6, 2021 with her six children by her side.

Helen was born on March 28, 1934 in Rochester, MN to John and Cecilia (Mueller) Weis. She graduated from Lourdes High School in 1952.

Helen met the love of her life at the Pla Mor Ballroom where the two of them loved to dance. She married Ronald E. Gathje on June 12, 1954. Together they raised six children.

Her primary vocation was being a mother, but she also worked for many years as a playground supervisor at St. Pius X Grade School, then went to work at the Wise Owl Thrift Shop, National Bushing, and finally at Weis Builders, working with her brother Joe Weis.

Helen was an avid reader of good books, played in a number of bridge clubs for over 40 years, loved crossword puzzles, and most importantly loved and supported her children at all their Track and Cross-Country events. She was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church choir, a Girl Scout leader, and a Cub Scout leader. She was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church for over sixty years.

Helen is survived by her six children: Steve (Laurie), Peter (Kathleen), Donna (Dave) Mueller, John (Melissa), Jim (Jeanne), and Mike (Lu); her eighteen grandchildren; her eleven great-grandchildren; and her sisters-in-law Darlene Weis and Opal Weis.

She is preceded in death by her parents John and Cecilia Weis; her six siblings Leo, Eugene, Joe, Clara (Yerke), Joan (Carlise), and Mary (Huinker).

Following Covid guidelines, a Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, February 9, 2021 at 10:30AM at St. Pius X Catholic Church in Rochester, with Rev. Russell Scepaniak officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the Mass at church. Interment will be at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Rochester. The service will be live streamed on the St. Pius X YouTube channel at: https://youtu.be/PVVTdDjA2-s

The family prefers memorial donations to be made to Lourdes Development Ron and Helen Gathje Tuition scholarship, Seasons Hospice, or St. Pius X Catholic Church.

The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to The Waters on Mayowood and Seasons Hospice for their wonderful care for Helen.